<p>Neurodivergent and disabled families, including those from underrepresented communities, have less access to healthcare services. They have poorer health and life expectancy as a result.</p><br><p>In this episode, we speak to Mary Mulvey Oates, Contact’s Manager for Early Years Participation and Insights, who co-led an 18-month research project to explore what can be done to improve access to healthcare for these communities.</p><br><p>We also speak to Donna Phipps, Chair of LivPaC (Liverpool Parents and Carers Forum) and a parent carer herself, who shares lived-experience tips for navigating appointments, preparing for hospital visits, and advocating for your child’s needs.</p><br><p><strong>We discuss:</strong></p><br><p>•Why some families face greater barriers to healthcare access</p><p>•How co-produced research is helping shape better NHS services</p><p>•Practical advice for parent carers accessing healthcare for their child</p><p>•How healthcare professionals can make small, meaningful changes that improve equity and trust</p><br><p>If you’re a parent carer, healthcare professional, or anyone passionate about inclusive healthcare, this episode offers practical insights, powerful stories, and real solutions to help every family get the care they deserve.</p><br><p>Listen now to hear how compassion and collaboration can transform the healthcare experience for disabled and neurodivergent children and their families.</p><br><p><strong>Read the </strong><a href="https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/the-helpful-podcast-for-families-with-disabled-children/breaking-down-barriers-to-healthcare-podcast-transcript/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>full transcript here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>Resources and links</strong></p><br><p><a href="https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/ " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contact’s information and advice for families with disabled children</a></p><p><a href="https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/what-we-do/our-programmes/by-your-side-reaching-families-in-hospital/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contact’s By Your Side project</a>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/parent-carer-participation/find-your-local-parent-carer-forum/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Find your local Parent Carer Forum&nbsp;</a></p><p><a href="https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/campaigns-and-research/research/improving-access-to-healthcare-research-project/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more about the research project</a>&nbsp;</p><br><p><strong>About the host</strong></p><br><p>Contact is a national charity that offers families with disabled children expert advice and a place to support each other – helping them thrive, access essential services, and campaign for a more inclusive society.</p><br><p><strong>The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.</strong></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>